A weekend with good friends...

Ok...I've spent lots of hours making this album up and I should have gone to bed a long long time ago...so please follow this link to my flickr set of the weekend and enjoy!!

Why haven't you gone yet? There are Sea World pictures! AND MICKEY MOUSE!! Yes...THE MOUSE!!! GOOOOOOO!!!

I Heart Sea World!

Seriously, I think I could go there every day. Well, that might be excessive...but I love it...so deal!

Yesterday I met up with the Bennett's (Drew, Allison, and Eva) and the Sparks' (Allison's parents Marcia and Dan) at Sea World O-Town. We decided to meet up at 11...but both arrived a little early. By the time I got parked and through the line it ended up being 11...so it was all good.

We started off in "Key West" and visited the Dolphins...then straight past "Journey to Atlantis." It was a little early to get soaked...and even though Eva really wanted to go on she's still just a little too short:( So we went to see Clyde and Seymour take "Pirate Island." I won't spoil the "fun" for anyone who's never been...but I did suggest we get there a little early so as not to be part of the pre-show "entertainment." I got to feed Eva a bottle during the show, but finally had to give her back to Allison as Eva just kept giggling and not eating much. The kid is so happy!! So she fell asleep right after...which I think she did on purpose as the next stop was "Shark Encounter." "Awww...they don't let strollers in...that's a shame. I know...I'll stay out here and let her get her cutie sleep while you go explore those treasures of the deep!" Eva saves the day!! At least she saved Auntie Mo from the shark tank!!! She woke up a few minutes later-which was fine...she was just so fun to be around.

We then walked toward Shamu Stadium, with a layover at the "Hospitality House." Love it. Actually-I didn't indulge in any of the free beer goodness. I think I was still in the mode that I'm usually there in July and I get too warm. So there's always next time...maybe even next week because Joe Nichols is playing there and I might need to partake! I digress...so after roaming the Clydesdale Hamlet...with one very inappropriate Clydesdale, well, let's just say "greeting" us...we hit the Hospitality House for a little break. We went to Shamu Stadium for the big "Believe" show. Only problem was that the whales didn't "Believe" in performing for us at that moment. They finally got their act together and did some flips and such. Hopefully next time it will be better:)

We did the walking tour of "Wild Artic" and got to see Belugas, and Walruses, and Polar Bears...oh my! We finished out the day with some dinner and shopping...and then hit the parking lot before the fireworks started and would wake up a finally sleeping Eva!

I had a great time, and I hope you enjoy my slide show! I've also posted the whole album at Flickr...so please stop there and leave some comments if you like!!!

Dreams really do come true!!

I did it!! I won Drew's contest!! Everybody jump up and down and say "yaaaayah!!!" I would like to thank all those that made it possible for me to triumph...mostly Drew for having the contest! I'd also like to thank, well, me...who tirelessly racked up the "pwants" day and night!! I must also thank you all for supporting me by not voting for me in last month's contest when, if you remember, I came in "dead last." I solemnly believe that the embarrassment that was my showing in last month's contest truly inspired me to embrace the competition of the Benspark Add It Up Contest!! So everyone pat yourselves on the back and say "way to go!!"

I still absolutely recommend you all visit Drew's family of blogs and photo hosting sites. He puts a LOT of work into all of it and without fail there is new content every day.

Here's the rundown:

The Benspark

The Wired Kayaker

Benspark 2: Electric Boogaloo

Flatwater Tech

And his photography is located thusly:

Flickr

Zooomr

Buzznet

I will keep you all in the loop regarding my fabulous prizes...that's right...prizeS...plural! I have a choice betwixt a Flickr Pro or Zooomr Pro account...so I have to figure out what I want to do. Once that is all set up I'll make sure you are all aware so you can see my pictures. And the other nice bonus I won is 25 bones to spend at the Kodak Gallery. VERY nice!

Stay tuned for September's big Benspark Contest...I can't wait!